Coital timing device

ABSTRACT

A coital timing device for determining the days in which coitus should occur in order to maximize the chances for conception. The timing device calculates the woman&#39;&#39;s fertile period based upon her past menstrual cycle history and then indicates a coital timing period within which are displayed days for coitus and coitus abstention. A monthly calendar scale is provided to relate the coitus and coitus abstention days to the actual days of the week and month. With appropriate marking of the coital timing period, the timing device can be used to minimize the chances for conception.

United States Patent [21] Appl. No. [22] Filed [45] Patented I73] Assignee [54] COITAL TIMING DEVICE 22 Claims, 10 Drawing Figs. [52] 11.8. C1 235/85 FC, 235/86 [51] Int. Cl G06c 3/00 [50] Field of Search 235/71, 85

RC, 86,125;240/2.1, 1 El [5 6] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,161,345 6/1939 Gates 235/88 X 2,465,238 3/194 9 I .auxeta1 235/86 llllllllllllll 6/1950 Wenzel 2,642,225 6/1953 Lee 235/86 2,980,325 4/1961 Pisarra 235/86 3,279,696 10/1966 Sherman 235/88 3,370,789 2/1968 Sherman 235/85 FOREIGN PATENTS 192,652 10/1957 Austria 235/85 1,244,258 9/1960 France 235/85 619,309 4/1961 Italy 235/85 Primary ExaminerRichard B. Wilkinson Assistant Examiner-Stanley A. Wal Attorney-Chittick, Pfund, Birch, Samuels & Gauthier ABSTRACT: A coital timing device for determining the days in which coitus should occur in order to maximize the chances for conception. The timing device calculates the woman s fertile period based upon her past menstrual cycle history and then indicates a coital timing period within which are displayed days for coitus and coitus abstention. A monthly calendar scale is provided to relate the coitus and coitus abstention days to the actual days of the week and month. With appropriate marking of the coital timing period, the timing device can be used to minimize the chances for conception.

PATENTEU SEPI4I97| 3,604,623

SHEET 1 BF 4 INVENTOR LA RENCE M SHERMAN BY ES E RICHARDSON WM BA-L ATTORNEYS PATENTED SEPMIHYI FIG. 8

SHEET 2 UF 4 DODGE] CIUIUDOD UIIUUDCIDDDODU FIG. 4

INVENTOR.

LAwZEMCE M SHERMAN BY \IAMEJ E IZ-ICHAZDSON /M,

PATENTEDSEP1 4I97| SHEET [1F 4 sun WJES wan as Q5 '30 gs as a u 55% III-I FIG. 7

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D.C./A.C. PANEL LAMP INVERTER lOb o---- p 10+ m0 INVENTOR.

LAWRENCE M SHERMAN BY \JAME$ E IZICHAZDSQM I 1 Quiz;

corral. mm DEVICE BACKGROUND or THE mvsrm'ou The present invention relates to fertility calculators in 5 fertile period. The fertile period is determined by reference to the womans previous menstrual history.

'- Very few couples are able to become pregnant at the desired time. Perfectly normal couples usually have to try for several months and often up to two years before they are successful. Many others try for years and still others never become, pregnant. This is true of couples whoalreadyhave a child as well as couples trying to conceive for the first time.

, It has been estimated that in the United States .today there areapproximately 7% million couples in the prime child-bearing age group of 18-39 years old who want to have children. Thesecouples can be broken down into three groups, defined as follows:

I. Fertile, Full Planners" 0 Couples Normal couples who have been trying to have a baby for 0-6 months 2. Fertile, Anxi0ua" Normal couples who have been trying to have a baby for 6 months to 2 years 4.1 rum.

Total 7.5

As soon as the couples experience failure, anxiety develops and the couples begin to fear that they will be unable to have v the number of children they desire. This fear increases, for

both' partners, as their lack of success continues. As a result, the interest and motivation of these couples for help are extremely high.

There are many reasons why an individual couple may have trouble conceiving. First, let us discuss the so-called normal couples. Most normal couples do not know when the fertile period occurs. Consequently, they do not have intercourse at the optimum time for successful conception. The reason for their ignorance is that normal couples do not go to the doctor for timing advice, but instead, rely on their own judgment and rules of thumb to estimate the fertile period. In most cases, this procedure is not good enough.

For the normal couples who do seek help from their doctors, the situation is not much better because most doctors do not or cannot provide accurate timing information. The reasons for this are twofold: first, the determination of the fertile period for an individual couple is a very time-consuming process and most doctors are just too busy to be able to spend this amount of time because of patients with more serious problems; and, second, most doctors are unaware of the latest medical research and the many complicated factors which influence the conception process. As a result, the doctors often recommend an oversimplified and often incorrect intercourse schedule.

The key factors in the conception process are as follows:

1. The fertile period during any given menstrual cycle is brief--only 48 hours each month. For many women it is only 24 or 12 hours. This means that random coitus will often miss the crucial period and conception will not occur.

2. The fertile period varies each month, making it diflicult to predict. The date upon which a woman will next ovulate (and the fertile period) is subject to the random variations surrounding most biological phenomena. Ovulation is triggered by the pituitary gland, which in tum'is affected by the woman's emotional makeup. Even if a woman had a perfectly regular 28-day cycle, psychological conditions change, and the fertile period would not occur exactly the same time each month. Since there are virtually no women who are this regular, additional variations in the ovulation date are caused by the changes in cycle length.

Even if the "normal couples do get good timing advice, nature and human errors often result in the information being used improperly. Women generally have difficulty making the required complex calculations and it is time consuming and tedious to calculate, record, and keep track of menstrual cycles and intercourse schedules. Some couples, in fact, just disregard the doctor's advice because they do not want to have intercourse according to a plan.

Additional factors also influence the conception rate among normal couple's. Too frequent intercourse can limit the ability to conceive because of reduced spenn potency. A logical error which many couples make is to assume that the chance of conception increases withthe number of acts of intercourse. The fallacy lies in the fact that some men have among perfectly normal couples is only 25 percent per month and not percent. In other words, if 100 normal couples decide to attempt conception during any month'without any special help, only 25 will conceive. v v

All of the factors mentioned above hold true for the subfertile couple as well as the normal couple. in addition, however, these couples may have one or more physical problems which further reduce their ability to conceive. The subfertile physical problems include:

I. Oligospermia 2. Other male pathology 3. Tubal pathology 4. Cervical pathology 5. Female endrocrinopathy 6. Gross pelvic pathology 7. Periodic anovulation 8. Extreme irregularity These problems, plus the timing factors, result in a conception rate among subfertile couples of only 1 percent per month.

If the sterile couples (1.1 million) and the women who have too irregular menstrual cycles (0.5 million) are eliminated from the prime child-bearing age group who desire children, there will be approximately 5.9 million couples in the United States who could be aided in conceiving by proper coital timmg.

An unknown number of other couples could also benefit from proper coital timing information by using the information to minimize the chances of conception.

An extensive body of art has developed which determines a Although the fertility calculators listed above and other prior art calculators all provide an indication of the woman's fertile period, usually based upon her menstrual history, none of the calculators takes into account the important coital timing factors during and immediately preceding the calculated fertile period. These factors, as discussed previously, contribute significantly to maximizing the chances for conception.

It is accordingly a general object of the present invention to provide a coital timing device which correlates a predetermined coitus schedule to the calculated fertile period.

It is a specific object of theinvention to provide a coital timing device which indicates a coital timing period within which are established alternating coitus and coitus abstention periods.

It is another object of the invention to calculate the coital timing period or'fertile period with respect to the users longest and shortest menstrual cycles.

It is still another object of the invention to provide a coital timing device which can be used to maximize or minimize the chances of conception depending upon the method of use by the user.

It is a feature of the present invention that the coital timing device stores the users menstrual cycle infonnation and provides a means for updating the information if the lengthof the longest and/or shortest cycles should change.

It is another feature of the invention that the coital timing device is hand sized and easily manipulated by the user.

These objects and features, and other objects and features, will best be understood from a detailed description of a preferred embodiment, selected for purposes of illustration, and shown in the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a view in side elevation showing the coital timing device of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the coital timing device of FIG. 1 shown with the cover removed;

FIG. 3 is a diagrammatic view, in partial section, of the coital timing device showing the configuration of the calendar and coital timing belts;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of the calendar belt;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a portion of the coital timing belt;

FIG. 6 is a simplified plan view of an embodiment of the coital timing device viewing windows and associated scales;

FIG. 7 is a plan view of a days-of-the-week scale;

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a portion of the coital timing device showing the calendar and coital timing belts assembled in superimposed relation beneath the viewing window scales;

FIG. 9 is a partial schematic and block diagram of an electroluminescent lamp, power supply and an actuating microswitch; and,

FIG. 10 is a view in cross section showing edge illumination of the calendar and coital timing belts in the coital timing device.

Turning now to the drawings, and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, there is shown in side elevation and plan view,

' respectively, a coital timing device constructed in accordance with the present invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 10. Before discussing in detail the structure and operation of the coital timing device 10, it will be helpful to briefly review the physiological basis for the timing device and the computations which are required to predict the users probable fertile period. A detailed medical explanation of the physiological factors is found in Menstrual Disorders and Sterility," fifth Edition by S. Leon lsreal, Harper & Row, New York, 1967 (see especially pages 562-563) and in Human Ovulation and Fertility," by Edmond .l. Farris, .l. B. Lippincott Company, Philadelphia, 1956 (see especially pages 96 and 97).

In order to maximize the probability that fertile sperm will be introduced into the female genital tract during the most propitious period for eventual fertilization of the egg, seven separate factors must be considered. A cornerstone in understanding the effect of these factors is the fact that most biological phenomena do not occur at random, but neither do they always occur at precisely the same time. What is predictable and definable about these phenomena is the range over which they will occur and the degree to which they will be concentrated near the center of the range.

The seven factors that help determine the optimum time for fertile coitus are:

l. Conception, or fertilization, can occur only when a sperm joins with an egg.

2. Almost always, only one'egg is released from an ovary during any single menstrual cycle. This process is called ovulation.

3. Ovulation most often occurs from l2 to 16 days before the onset of the following menstrual period. It occurs more frequently 14 days prior to menstruation than 12, 13,15or l6days.

4. Sperm is maximally capable of fertilizing the egg for up to two days following coitus.

5. The cervix (the entrance to the uterus) is maximally receptive to sperm only during the two days immediately preceding ovulation.

6. The menstrual cycles of most women vary continually but somewhat predictably between a certain maximum and a certain minimum number of days. For a woman who has menstrual cycles ranging from 26-31 days in length, more of her cycles will be 28 and 29 days rather than 26, 27, 30 or 31 days.

7. The capacity of the male to produce sperm to fertilize the egg may be impaired by frequent coitus.

Since an egg must be released from the ovary before fertilization can take place, the first step in calculating a woman's fertile period is to predict when ovulation will occur. The only phenomenon that is observable and can conveniently be utilized in predicting ovulation is menstruation. While ovulation and menstruation are parts of the same cycle, the time of ovulation is more directly related to the onset of the following menstrual cycle than to the preceding cycle. To predict the time of ovulation, therefore, the beginning day of the next menstrual cycle must first be established. Since every woman's menstrual cycle varies continuously, but within a predictable range, this can be any one of several limited datesrevealed in advance by reviewing the womans menstrual cycle experience over the past 6 months. From each date so established as a possible beginning day of menstruation, it is necessary to count backwards l2, l3, l4, l5 and 16 days. The dates arrived at by this calculation represent the days of probable ovulation.

Once the days of probable ovulation have been established, the fertile period can be calculated. The fertile period begins approximately 48 hours prior to ovulation. This 48 hours coincides both with the time of maximum receptivity of the cervix to sperm and to the lifespan of the sperm itself. The receptivity of the cervix depends on the condition of a secretion called the cervical mucus. This secretion, which covers the entrance to the uterus, is usually too thick for sperm to penetrate. During the 48 hours prior to ovulation, however, the cervical mucus becomes thin, watery, and readily penetrable by sperm. Around the actual time of ovulation, it again becomes thick and impenetrable. This 48-hour period also coincides with the survival time of sperm. Thus, during the 48 hours preceding ovulation, sperm introduced into the genital tract has a favorable chance of gaining entrance into the uterus and remaining alive long enough to fertilize a live egg. In calculating the days that make up the actual fertile period in any given month, extra days must be provided to allow for menstrual cycle variations and for the consequent range of probable ovulation dates.

Once the fertile period has been determined, the days recommended for coitus can be calculated. Because too frequent coitus can reduce the sperm count, abstention from sexual activity is recommended for five days prior to the first day of coitus and for one day following each recommended day of coitus. Since biological events occur more frequently in the middle rather than at the extremes of their range, very little opportunity for successful conception is lost by abstaining from coitus on the first or even second day of the fertile period. Depending on the variation between the longest and shortest cycles, 3 to 6 coital exposures are recommended in any given cycle.

The formula utilized by the coital timing device in computing the recommended coital days takes into account all of the above-described relationships between menstruation, ovulation, and the fertile period. The specific formula is as follows:

1. Estimate the number of days in the shortest menstrual cycle over the past 6 months.

2. From this number, subtract 14 days to determine the first-suggested day of coitus.

3. For individuals with cycles of 25 days or more and a variation of 3 days or less between the longest and shortest cycles, coitus is recommended on two additional occasions-Z days and 4 days following the first recommended day.

4. The individuals with a variation of 4 to 5 days between the longest and shortest cycles, another suggested day of coitus is added-again, 2 days following the last one.

5. For individuals with a variation of 8 to 10 days, a sixthrecommended coital day is added-2 days following the preceding one.

6. For women with cycles of 24 days or less, additional adjustments are made in the calculations. This is necessary because in short cycles, ovulation occurs later on in the cycle, closer to the succeeding menstruation. A greater variation between longest and shortest cycles is allowed in women whose shortest cycle is 24 days or less.

The following table shows the actual calculations used by the coital timing device:

Shortest Cycle Longest Cycle Days for Coitus' Shortest Cycle Longest Cycle* Days for Coitus Cycle length is the number of days from the first day of menses to the first day of subsequent menses. E.g.. if menses started on 3/2 then next on 3/31, the cycle lengthw oltl d be 29 days. i "The first day of menses is Day One. Each subsequent day is numbered consecutively.

Having discussed the physiological factors involved in the conception process and the calculations required to determine the optimum time for fertile coitus, we will nowdescribed the structural elements of the preferred embodiment of the coital timing device of the present invention. The coital timing device 10 illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 has a base or housing 12 and a cover 14 which is pivotally secured to the base by means of spring-loaded, offset, ball and socket pivot hinges 16. The base 12 comprises a bottom member 18 and a lid member 20 which are snap fitted together as shown in FIG. 10. Preferably, the housing bottom and lid members 18 and 20, respectively, and the cover 14 as well as the pivot hinges 16 are all formed from high-impact polystyrene. The use of a molded polystyrene facilitates the formation of the smooth compound curves of the coital timing device. Although the shape of the timing device 10 is not critical, it is desirable to have the curved configuration illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 so that the device will fit comfortably in the hands of the user in the operative position. However, it should be understood that the exterior configuration of the timing device shown in the drawings is merely illustrative and that other materials besides polystyrene can be used to construct the timing device of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 5, it can be 535155.11... hoes lid member 20 has an apertured faceplate 22 containing a coital timing window 24, a shortest cycle window 26 and a longest .cycle window 28. The function of these windows and their relationship to the other elements of the timing device will be I discussed below in connection with FIGS. 4 through 9. it is sufficient for the moment to note that calendar, coital timing and menstrual history information will be displayed in the windows.

In the operating position, the coital timing device cover 14 is open as shown in FIG. 1. For storage, the cover is closed down over the faceplate 22 and lid member 20. The housing I lid member has a magnet 30 mounted at one end opposite the 5 cover pivot hinges 16. A corresponding metal latch 32 is positioned in the distal end of the housing cover 14 so that when the cover is in the closed position, the metal latch will be magnetically secured to the housing lid member magnet 30. Other latching mechanisms can, of course, be used to hold the cover in place in the closed position.

The calculations required for determining the optimum calendar belt has a calendar scale 36 divided into a plurality of increments 38 representing a predetermined number of calendar months. Each calendar increment is subdivided into the correct number of daily increments 40 for the particular calendar month.

Looking at FIGS. and 6, there is shown in plan view a second relatively movable support or belt 42 for the coital timing information. The coital timing belt 42 has a coital timing scale 44 divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments 46. Each coital timing increment 46 is subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments 48 and 50, respectively. The coitus and coitus abstention increments are preferably marked with distinctive and different colors for maximum visibility and intelligibility. The different colors are indicated in the drawings by the oppositely slanting hatching.

Referring to FIG. 8, it can be seen that the scalar length of each coitus and coitus abstention increment is equal to the scalar length of one daily increment 40 on the calendar scale 36. For each coital increment on the coital timing belt 42, there are corresponding sets of shortest and longest menstrual cycle indicia 52 and 54, respectively. The portion of the coital timing belt 42 shown in FIG. 5 covers the coital timing increments for two different shortest cycle lengths The upper coital timing increment 46, as viewed in FIG. 5, represents the timing increment for a 28-day shortest cycle while the lower coital timing increment represents a 29-day shortest cycle.

Each coital timing increment 46 has a corresponding beginning of cycle index 56 which precedes the coital timing increment, from a calendar standpoint, when the coital timing and calendar belts are assembled in superposed relation as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8. The scalar spacing between the beginning of cycle index 56 and the corresponding coital timing increment 46 is a function of the numerical value of the selected shortest cycle indicia 52. For example, looking at FIG. 5, the upper beginning of cycle index 56 is positioned at a distance corresponding to 13 calendar scale daily increments 40 before the first coitus increment 48. In other words, the beginning of cycle index 56 represent day one of the menstrual cycle and the first coitus increment appears at day 14 of the cycle. For a 29"-day shortest cycle, the arrangement is shown in the bottom portion of FIG. 5. In this case, the beginning of cycle index is positioned at day one of the cycle and separated from the first coitus increment by a distance which corresponds to fourteen daily increments on the calendar scale. Thus, for a 29 day cycle, then first day of coitus occurs on the 15th day of the cycle. The corresponding relationships for the other shortest cycles are set forth in the previously listed table of numerical calculations.

The calendar and coital timing belts 34 and 42 are relatively moveable with respect to each other and with respect to a fixed coital timing increment extending scale 58 that is positioned within the faceplate coital timing window 24, as shown in FIG. 6. Preferably, the coital increment extending scale 58 is placed on a transparent member 60 which is located within the coital timing window 24 and secured to the faceplate 22. When the calendar and coital timing belts are assembled in superposed relation as shown in FIGS. 3 and 8, the coital timing increments 46 on the timing belt 42 will be positioned beneath the coital timing increment extending scale 58 in the timing window 24. Alternatively, the coital timing increment extending scale 58 can be placed on the faceplate. The coital timing increment extending scale 58 comprises alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments 62 and 64, respectively, each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of the corresponding coitus and coitus abstention increments on the timing belt which, in turn, have the same scalar length as the daily increments on the calendar scale.

Looking specifically at FIGS. 5,6 and 8, it can be seen that the spacing of the shortest and longest cycle indicia 52 and 54 with respect to the associated coital timing increment 46 is designed so that the shortest and longest cycle indicia will be visible in the corresponding shortest and longest cycle windows 26 and 28 when the elements are assembled as shown in FIG. 8. The spacial relationship is such that when the shortest cycle indicia representing a 28-day shortest cycle is visible in the shortest cycle window 26 and the longest cycle indicia representing a "28-3 1 "-day longest cycle is visible in the corresponding longest cycle window 28, the three coitus increments 48 on the timing belt will be positioned exactly beneath the three coitus increments 62 on the coital timing increment extending scale 58. As the coital timing belt 42 is moved upwardly, as viewed in FIGS. 5, 6 and 8, the shortest cycle indicia will still indicate 28," while the longest cycle window will display longest cycles corresponding to 32 -33," 34-35 "-and "36- 38-day cycles.

It has already been mentioned that the desired coitus schedule during the fertile period is an alternating sequence of coitus and coitus abstention. In order to maintain this sequence for each setting of the selected longest cycle indicia 54, the coital timing belt 42 must be moved by an amount corresponding to two daily increments on the calendar scale. This movement is accomplished in the preferred embodiment of the coital timing device 10 by means of coital timing belts sprocket holes 66 which are positioned on the belt at locations corresponding to every other day on the calendar scale 36.

Referring now to FIG. 3, the coital timing belt 48 is mounted on and extends between two parallel, laterally spaced rollers 68 and 70 which are rotatably mounted within the housing 12. Depending on their direction of rotation, the coital timing belt rollers 68 and 70 can function either as a takeup roll or a supply roll. The two rollers are driven by a drive wheel 72 which is geared by means of gearing (not shown) to a timing belt control knob 74 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Thus, as the coital timing belt moves upwardly, more and more of the coital timing increment 46 will be visible above the coital timing increment extending scale 58. Since the spacing between the beginning of cycle index 56 on the coital timing belt and the first coitus increment 48 on the timing belt is fixed, the relative movement between the timing belt and the coital timing increment extending scale will cause the apparent visible length of the coital timing increment to be ex tended.

A click or rachet action is provided in the coital timing belt transport mechanism by detent rachet spring 76. As the user rotates the timing belt control knob 74 to set the shortest and longest cycle indicia in the corresponding faceplate win dows, the coital timing belt will be moved incrementally with respect to the faceplate windows. The scalar length of each in cremental movement equal the scalar length of two daily increments on the calendar scale 36.

A similar transport mechanism is also provided for the calendar belt 34. The calendar belt also has a plurality of edgepositioned sprocket holes 78, but unlike the coital timing belt sprocket holes, the sprocket holes 78 are positioned on the calendar belt opposite each daily increment 40 as shown in FIG. 4. The calendar belt is mounted on and extends between another pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers 80 and 82 which are rotatably mounted in the housing 12. The axes of the calendar belt rollers 80 and 82 are parallel to the timing belt rollers 70 and 72. Driving power to the calendar belt rolls a is obtained by rotating a calendar belt control knob 84 which is connected through gearing (not shown) to a calendar belt drive wheel 86. A housing mounted spring 88 provides the desired rachet action for the calendar belt. Thus, for the user, rotation of the calendar belt control know 84 will click" advance or reverse the movement of the calendar belt by an amount which equals one daily increment on the calendar scale.

The coital timing divide 10 is set for the user's particular menstrual history in the following manner. The timing belt knob 74 is rotated until the correct shortest cycle indicia 52 appears in the faceplate window 26. The coital timing belt control know 74 is then fine tuned to position the correct longest cycle indicia range within the faceplate window 28. At this point the coital timing device has been set for the woman s particular menstrual history. However, it should be noted that the coital timing information displayed in the timing window 24 bears no relation to the current calendar. The correct calendar relationship is obtainedby rotating the calendar belt control knob 84 until the calendar scale 36 is correctly aligned to correspond to the commencement day of the current menstrual cycle. For example, looking at FIG. 8, the coital timing device has been set for a shortest cycle of 28 days and a longest cycle within the range of 36-38 days. Assuming that the current cycle began on Oct. 8, the calendar belt control knob 84 is rotated until the calendar scale daily increment for Oct. 8 is positioned over the beginning of cycle index 56. When this is done, the coital timing device will correctly display the proper sequence of coitus and coitus abstention days within the probable fertile period in relation to the calendar.

in order to facilitate the use of the coital timing device, it is desirable to provide a days-of-the-week reference for the calendar scale and coital timing increments. For this purpose, the preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a relatively movable days-of-the-week scale 90 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 7. Positioning of the days-of-the-week scale 90 is performed by moving an attached slide handle 92 in a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the calendar belt.

One additional user convenience that is desirable in a coital timing device of the type described in some means for the user to determine the length of her cycles without requiring any computation. Looking at FIGS. 6 and 8, a separate beginningof-cycle index 94 and cycle length numeral scale 96 is provided on the transparent window member 60. The length of any particular cycle is determined by setting the calendar scale so that the date of the beginning of the current cycle is aligned with the beginning of cycle index 94. When the next cycle begins, the user locates the correct date on the calendar scale and then reads the cycle length directly ofi the scale 96 by looking at the number opposite the date of the new cycle.

It will be appreciated from the preceding description that the coital timing belt 42, calendar belt 34, and the faceplate window scales are assembled in superposed relation over a support 98 as shown in FIG. 8. Given this configuration, the coital timing belt 42 can be made of opaque, translucent, or transparent material. The overlying calendar belt 34 is formed from a transparent material as is the faceplate coital timing window member 60. Since the coital timing device may be used under relatively dim illumination conditions, the belt support 98 in the preferred embodiment comprises an electroluminescent lamp panel. Referring to FIG. 3, the electroluminescent panel lamp 100 is positioned beneath the calendar and coital timing belts 40 and 42 respectively. Power for the electroluminescent lamp is obtained from a centrally located power supply 102 which is actuated by means of a normally closed microswitch 104 located in the housing lid 20. When the housing cover 14 is closed, the cover opens the microswitch 104 thereby turning off the electroluminescent panel. Conversely, the panel will be illuminated when the cover is opened.

The circuitry for the electroluminescent panel lamp, power supply and microswitch is illustrated in block diagram form and partial schematic in FIG. 9. The direct current from a replaceable battery 106 is applied through the closed microswitch 104 to a transistorized DC to AC inverter 108. The stepped-up, alternating current from inverter 108 is then applied to the electroluminescent panel lamp. Since the electroluminescent panel lamp and associated circuitry are well know to those in the art, further descriptive details are unnecessary.

With the electroluminescent panel lamp configuration shown in FIG. 3, the superposed belts and their associated scales will be back illuminated. In some instances, it may be desirable to provide edge illumination of the belts. A suitable arrangement for such edge illumination is illustrated in P10. wherein a lamp 110 is positioned within a reflector 112 along the longitudinal edge of the calendar and coital timing belt. The reflector 112 is shaped to direct the illumination from lamp 110 to the edges of the calendar and coital timing belts. The lamp 110 is wired in series with microswitch 104 and is powered by a suitable battery (not shown).

One of the factors that is rn st often involved in subfertility is the problem of oligospermia-barely enough sperm to efiect conception. In order to provide sufficient sperm for the first act of intercourse during the coital timing increment, it is desirable for the male to abstain from coitus for a given period immediately preceding the first clay of coitus which is indicated in the coital timing increment. In the coital timing device 10, this initial coital abstention period is indicated by a separate initial coitus abstention increment 114 which is positioned immediately before the first coitus increment 48 on the coital timing belt. Preferably, the initial coitus abstention increment is color coded the same as the coitus abstention increment 50 on the coital timing belt as shown in FIG. 5. A separate initial coital abstention increment 114 is provided for each coital timing increment 46 on the coital timing belt.

The preferred embodiment of the coital timing device described above has been directed to the linear scale, belt version of the device. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to this particular configuration, but instead, the coital timing increments with their alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments can be structured in a variety of well-known forms. For example, the appropriate scales can be placed on disks, relatively movable linear scales as in a slide rule, on cylindrical belts and the like.

It has already been mentioned that one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a device which will minimize the chances of conception as opposed to maximizing the chances of conception. The minimizing" or birth control function of the timing device can be implemented by using a slightly changed version of the coital timing belt 42. The timing belt 42 is modified by placing the sprocket holes 66 at locations which correspond to each daily increment 40 on the calendar belt 34. In addition, the longest cycle indicia 54 are arranged sequentially in a vertical column similar to the arrangement and spacing of the shortest cycle indicia 52 as depicted in FIG. 5. Given this configuration and the appropriate adjustment of the coital timing belt transport mechanism, it can be seen that the coital timing increments 46 will be advanced by one daily increment for each setting of the longest cycle indicia 28. For birth control purposes, both the coital timing increments 46 and the initial coitus abstention increment 114 are color coded in the same color. The coital timing increment extending scale 58 is also color coded in the same color code and is extended in length to occupy a scalar distance corresponding to 10 daily increments 40 on the calendar belt 42. Looking at FIG. 6, the coital timing extending scale 58 is extended downwardly by an amount equal to the scalar distance of four daily increments on the calendar scale. In other words, the scale 58 is extended downwardly to a point between the numerals 33" and 34 on the numerical scale 96.

With this modification, the similarly color-coded coital timing increment 46 and initial coitus abstention increment 114 will occupy a scalar space of 10 days and will exactly underlie the extended scale 58 when the shortest and longest cycle indicia have the same numerical value. For each day that a selected longest cycle indicia exceeds the selected shortest indicia, the coital timing belt will be moved in an upwardly direction, as viewed in the drawings, by an amount corresponding to the scalar length of one daily increment on the calendar scale. Expressed in a slightly different term, the indicated abstention period for birth control purposes will be increased by l day for each day that the selected longest cycle indicia exceeds the selected shortest cycle indicia.

Having described in detail the preferred embodiments of our coital timing device, it will now be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made in the device without departing from the invention as defined in the following claims. I

What we claim is:

l. A coital timing device comprising:

a. a first support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments;

b. a second support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing-increments,

said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments each having a scalar length at least equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments,

a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increment, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia;

c. means operatively associated with said second scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia; and

(1. means for securing said support means to permit relative movement therebetween.

2. A coital timing device comprising:

a. a first support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months,

b. a second support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital increments,

said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments each having a scalar length at least equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments,

a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means,

a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increment, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia; and, a corresponding plurality of spaced initial coitus abstention period increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of a predetermined number of said first scale daily increments, said initial coitus abstention increments being positioned on said second scale immediately preceding the corresponding coital timing increments;

c. means operatively associated with said second scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycleindicia; and

d. means for securing said support means to permit relative movement therebetween.

3. A coital timing device comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a first light-transmitting support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months;

said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments;

c. a second light-transmitting support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments,

said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments each having a scalar length at least equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments,

a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increments, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia;

(1. means operatively associated with said second scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia; and

e. means for securing said support means within said housing to permit relative movement between said support means.

4. The coital timing device of claim 3 further characterized by selectively operable means for producing light, said light means being mounted within said housing and positioned with respect to said first and second support means for transmitting light therethrough.

5. The coital timing device of claim 4 wherein said light means is positioned to provide edge illumination of said first and second support means. v

6. The coital timing device of claim 4 wherein said light means is positioned to provide back illumination of said first and second support means.

7. The coital timing device of claim 4 further characterized by said alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments including means for forming a corresponding pattern in the light exiting from said second support means.

8. The coital timing device of claim 7 wherein said pattern of light comprises a first color for the coitus increments and a second color for said coitus abstention increments.

9. A coital timing device comprising:

a. a first support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments;

b. a second support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments,

said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments each having a scalar length at least equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments,

a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increment, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia;

c. means operatively associated with said second scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia;

d. means for securing said first and second support means to permit relative movement therebetween;

e. a third support means having a third scale divided into a plurality of days-of-the-week increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments; and,

f. means for positioning said third support means scale in alignment with said-first support means calendar scale to provide a day-of-the-week indication for each daily increment within a selected portion of said calendar scale.

10. A coital timing device comprising:

a. a housing;

b. a first pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing;

c. a calendar belt mounted on and extending between said first pair of rollers, said belt being longer than the lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon their direction of rotation, and

said calendar belt having a calendar scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined .number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments;

d. a second pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing in parallel relation to said first pair of rollers; I

e. a coital timing belt mounted on and extending between said second pair of rollers, said belt being longer than the lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon their direction of rotation, said coital timing belt having a coital timing scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention. increments each having a scalar length at least equal to the scalar length'of one of said calendar scale daily increments, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said belt, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said belt at a predetermined scalar distance from corresponding coital timing increments, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia, and said coital timing belt being positioned with respect to said calendar belt so that the coital timing scale and beginning of cycle indicia can be aligned to the calendar scale; and

f. means operatively associated with said coital timing scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia.

11. The coital timing device of claim further characterized by said coital timing scale having a corresponding plurality of spaced initial coitus abstention period increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of a predetermined number of said calendar scale daily increments, said initial coitus abstention increments being positioned on said coital timing scale immediately preceding the corresponding coital timing increments.

12. The coital timing device of claim 10 further characterized by a support means having a day scale divided into a plurality of days-of-the-week inc'rements each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of one of said calendar scale daily increments; and,

means for positioning saidsupport means day scale in alignment with saidcalendar belt calendar scale to provide a day-of-the-week indication for each daily increment within a selected portion of said calendar scale.

'13. The coital timing device of claim 10 further characterized by means for moving said coital timing belt in increments corresponding to the scalar length of two of said calendar belt calendar scale daily increments.

14. The coital timing device of claim 13 further characterized by means for moving said calendar belt in increments corresponding to the scalar length of one of said calendar belt calendar scale daily increments.

15. A coital timing device comprising:

a. a housing; 5

b. a first pair of parallel laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing;

c. a calendar belt mounted on and extending between said first pair of rollers, said beltbeing longer than the lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup. rolls depending upon the direction of rotation, and said calendar belt having a calendar scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments;

d. a second pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing in parallel relation to said first pair of rollers;

e. a coital timing belt mounted on and extending between said second pair of rollers, I said belt being longer than the lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon their direction of rotation, said coital timing belt having a coital timing scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said belt, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said belt at a predetermined scalar distance from corresponding coital timing increments, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia, and said coital timing belt being positioned with respect to said calendar belt so that the coital timing scale and beginning of cycle indicia can be aligned to the calendar scale; and

f. means operatively associated with said coital timing scale for increasing the apparent scalar length of said coital timing increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia.

16. A coital timing device comprising: a. a first support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments; b. a second support means having 1 a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments,

Said coital timing increments being subdivided into coitus and coitus abstention increments which define a predetermined intercourse schedule,

a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increment, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia;

c. means operatively associated with said second means for increasing the apparent number of coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia; and

d. means for securing said support means to permit relative movement therebetween.

17. The coital timing device of claim 16 further characterized by said second support means second scale having a corresponding plurality of spaced initial coitus abstention period increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of a predetermined number of said first scale daily increments, said initial coitus abstention increments being positioned on said second scale immediately preceding the corresponding coital timing increments.

18. A coital timing device comprising a. a first support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months,

said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments;

b. a second support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments,

a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increment, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia;

c. means operatively associated with said second scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia; and,

d. means for securing said support means to permit relative movement therebetween.

19. The coital timing device of claim 18 further characterized by a third support means having a third scale divided into a plurality of days-of-the-week increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments; and,

means for positioning said third support means scale in alignment with said first support means calendar scale to provide a day-of-the-week indication for each daily increment within a selected portion of said calendar scale.

20. A coital timing device comprising;

a. a housing;

b. a first pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing;

c. a calendar belt mounted on a and extending between said first pair of rollers, said belt being longer than on lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon their direction of rotation, and said calendar belt having a calendar scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments; d. a second pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing in parallel relation to said first pair of rollers; e. a coital timing belt mounted on and extending between said second pair of rollers, said belt being longer than the lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon their direction of rotation, said coital timing belt having a coital timing scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into coitus and coitus abstention increments which define a predetermined intercourse schedule, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said belt, and

a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said belt at a predetermined scalar distance from corresponding coital timing increments, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia, and

said coital timing belt being positioned with respect to said calendar belt so that the coital timing scale and beginning of cycle indicia can be aligned to the calendar scale; and means operatively associated with said coital timing scale for increasing the apparent number of coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia. 21. The coital timing device of claim 20 further characterized by said coital timing scale having a corresponding plurality of spaced initial coitus abstention period increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of a predetermined number of said calendar scale daily increments, said initial coitus abstention increments being positioned on said coital timing scale immediately preceding the corresponding coital timing increments.

22. The coital timing device of claim 20 further characterized by a support means having a day scale divided into a plurality of days-of-the-week increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of one of said calendar scale daily increments; and, means for positioning said support means day scale in alignment with said calendar belt calendar scale to provide a day-of-the-week indication for each daily increment within a selected portion of said calendar scale.

gg ggy UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent 3,604,623 Dated September 14, 1971 lnventol-(s) Lawrence M. Sherman and James E. Richardson It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 1, line 52,insert many between the words "that" and normal"- Column 2, line 72, "Branded" should be Brandeo;

Colunm 6, line 27, "described" should be describe-;

Column 7, line 44, "then" should be the;

Column 8, line 66, "divide should be device;

Column 8, line 70, "know" should be knob-;

Column 9, line 62 "know" should be known--;

Column 15, line 59, delete "a" (second occurrence).

Signed and sealed this 4th day of April 1972.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. RO BERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents 

1. A coital timing device comprising: a. a first support means having a first scale divideD into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments; b. a second support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments each having a scalar length at least equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increment, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia; c. means operatively associated with said second scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia; and d. means for securing said support means to permit relative movement therebetween.
 2. A coital timing device comprising: a. a first support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, b. a second support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments each having a scalar length at least equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increment, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia; and, a corresponding plurality of spaced initial coitus abstention period increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of a predetermined number of said first scale daily increments, said initial coitus abstention increments being positioned on said second scale immediately preceding the corresponding coital timing increments; c. means operatively associated with said second scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia; and d. means for securing said support means to permit relative movement therebetween.
 3. A coital timing device comprising: a. a housing; b. a first light-transmitting support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months; said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments; c. a second light-transmitting support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments each having a scalar length at least equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increments, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia; d. means operativelY associated with said second scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia; and e. means for securing said support means within said housing to permit relative movement between said support means.
 4. The coital timing device of claim 3 further characterized by selectively operable means for producing light, said light means being mounted within said housing and positioned with respect to said first and second support means for transmitting light therethrough.
 5. The coital timing device of claim 4 wherein said light means is positioned to provide edge illumination of said first and second support means.
 6. The coital timing device of claim 4 wherein said light means is positioned to provide back illumination of said first and second support means.
 7. The coital timing device of claim 4 further characterized by said alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments including means for forming a corresponding pattern in the light exiting from said second support means.
 8. The coital timing device of claim 7 wherein said pattern of light comprises a first color for the coitus increments and a second color for said coitus abstention increments.
 9. A coital timing device comprising: a. a first support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments; b. a second support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments each having a scalar length at least equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increment, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia; c. means operatively associated with said second scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia; d. means for securing said first and second support means to permit relative movement therebetween; e. a third support means having a third scale divided into a plurality of days-of-the-week increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of one of said first scale daily increments; and, f. means for positioning said third support means scale in alignment with said first support means calendar scale to provide a day-of-the-week indication for each daily increment within a selected portion of said calendar scale.
 10. A coital timing device comprising: a. a housing; b. a first pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing; c. a calendar belt mounted on and extending between said first pair of rollers, said belt being longer than the lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon their direction of rotation, and said calendar belt having a calendar scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments; d. a second pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing in parallel relation to said first pair of rollers; e. a coital timing belt mounted on and extending between sAid second pair of rollers, said belt being longer than the lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon their direction of rotation, said coital timing belt having a coital timing scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments each having a scalar length at least equal to the scalar length of one of said calendar scale daily increments, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said belt, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said belt at a predetermined scalar distance from corresponding coital timing increments, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia, and said coital timing belt being positioned with respect to said calendar belt so that the coital timing scale and beginning of cycle indicia can be aligned to the calendar scale; and f. means operatively associated with said coital timing scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia.
 11. The coital timing device of claim 10 further characterized by said coital timing scale having a corresponding plurality of spaced initial coitus abstention period increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of a predetermined number of said calendar scale daily increments, said initial coitus abstention increments being positioned on said coital timing scale immediately preceding the corresponding coital timing increments.
 12. The coital timing device of claim 10 further characterized by a support means having a day scale divided into a plurality of days-of-the-week increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of one of said calendar scale daily increments; and, means for positioning said support means day scale in alignment with said calendar belt calendar scale to provide a day-of-the-week indication for each daily increment within a selected portion of said calendar scale.
 13. The coital timing device of claim 10 further characterized by means for moving said coital timing belt in increments corresponding to the scalar length of two of said calendar belt calendar scale daily increments.
 14. The coital timing device of claim 13 further characterized by means for moving said calendar belt in increments corresponding to the scalar length of one of said calendar belt calendar scale daily increments.
 15. A coital timing device comprising: a. a housing; b. a first pair of parallel laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing; c. a calendar belt mounted on and extending between said first pair of rollers, said belt being longer than the lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon the direction of rotation, and said calendar belt having a calendar scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments; d. a second pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing in parallel relation to said first pair of rollers; e. a coital timing belt mounted on and extending between said second pair of rollers, said belt being longer than the lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon their direction of rotation, said coital timing belt having a coital timing scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia posItioned on said belt, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said belt at a predetermined scalar distance from corresponding coital timing increments, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia, and said coital timing belt being positioned with respect to said calendar belt so that the coital timing scale and beginning of cycle indicia can be aligned to the calendar scale; and f. means operatively associated with said coital timing scale for increasing the apparent scalar length of said coital timing increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia.
 16. A coital timing device comprising: a. a first support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments; b. a second support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into coitus and coitus abstention increments which define a predetermined intercourse schedule, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increment, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia; c. means operatively associated with said second means for increasing the apparent number of coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia; and d. means for securing said support means to permit relative movement therebetween.
 17. The coital timing device of claim 16 further characterized by said second support means second scale having a corresponding plurality of spaced initial coitus abstention period increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of a predetermined number of said first scale daily increments, said initial coitus abstention increments being positioned on said second scale immediately preceding the corresponding coital timing increments.
 18. A coital timing device comprising a. a first support means having a first scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments; b. a second support means having a second scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said second support means, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said second support means at a predetermined scalar distance from the corresponding coital timing increment, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia; c. means operatively associated with said second scale for increasing the apparent number of alternating coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia; and, d. means for securing said support means to permit relative movement therebetween.
 19. The coital timing device of claim 18 further characterized by a third support means having a third scale divided into a plurality of days-of-the-week increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar lenGth of one of said first scale daily increments; and, means for positioning said third support means scale in alignment with said first support means calendar scale to provide a day-of-the-week indication for each daily increment within a selected portion of said calendar scale.
 20. A coital timing device comprising; a. a housing; b. a first pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing; c. a calendar belt mounted on a and extending between said first pair of rollers, said belt being longer than on lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon their direction of rotation, and said calendar belt having a calendar scale divided into a plurality of increments representing a predetermined number of calendar months, said monthly increments being subdivided into daily increments; d. a second pair of parallel, laterally spaced rollers rotatably mounted in said housing in parallel relation to said first pair of rollers; e. a coital timing belt mounted on and extending between said second pair of rollers, said belt being longer than the lateral spacing between said rollers so that the rollers function as both supply and takeup rolls depending upon their direction of rotation, said coital timing belt having a coital timing scale divided into a plurality of spaced coital timing increments, said coital timing increments being subdivided into coitus and coitus abstention increments which define a predetermined intercourse schedule, a corresponding plurality of shortest and longest cycle indicia positioned on said belt, and a beginning of cycle index for each of said coital timing increments positioned on said belt at a predetermined scalar distance from corresponding coital timing increments, said predetermined scalar distance being a function of the numerical value of the corresponding shortest cycle indicia, and said coital timing belt being positioned with respect to said calendar belt so that the coital timing scale and beginning of cycle indicia can be aligned to the calendar scale; and f. means operatively associated with said coital timing scale for increasing the apparent number of coitus and coitus abstention increments by an amount which is a function of the selected longest cycle indicia and the selected shortest cycle indicia.
 21. The coital timing device of claim 20 further characterized by said coital timing scale having a corresponding plurality of spaced initial coitus abstention period increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of a predetermined number of said calendar scale daily increments, said initial coitus abstention increments being positioned on said coital timing scale immediately preceding the corresponding coital timing increments.
 22. The coital timing device of claim 20 further characterized by a support means having a day scale divided into a plurality of days-of-the-week increments each having a scalar length equal to the scalar length of one of said calendar scale daily increments; and, means for positioning said support means day scale in alignment with said calendar belt calendar scale to provide a day-of-the-week indication for each daily increment within a selected portion of said calendar scale. 